Record numbers in work as UK job market stays strong

The jobless total was cut by 20,000 to 1.67 million in the quarter to April, the lowest since the spring of 2008 at the start of the financial crash.

The final set of official labour market figures before the EU referendum next week also showed that 31.5 million people are in work – the highest since records began in 1971.

In spite of Remain camp claims that the prospect of a Leave vote is damaging the economy, the UK now has an employment rate of 74 per cent – another record high – and a jobless rate of five per cent, the lowest for a decade.

The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits fell to 746,100 last month – 47,900 lower than a year ago.

Average earnings also increased by two per cent in the year to April, unchanged on the previous month.

Other data from the Office for National Statistics showed public sector employment rose by 6,000, due largely to increases in NHS staff.

Local government employment is at a record low of 2.2 million, while the number of workers in private firms has topped 26 million, nearly 500,000 more than a year ago. 

Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb said: “There are more people in work than ever before and wages are continuing their upward climb, which is great news for hard-working families.”

Laura Gardiner of the Resolution Foundation think tank said the jobs market was displaying “remarkable resilience” despite scare warnings over a Leave vote.